Vehicle wheel



Jan. 9, 1951 c. s. ASH 2,537,180

VEHICLEWHEEL Filed June 15, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR CrlARLES s. ASH

BY 41 M 4M ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1951 c. s. ASH 2,537,180

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed June 15, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1951 c. s. ASH 2,537

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed June 15,' 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR CHARLES S. ASH

Jam 9, 1951 c. s. ASH 2,537,180

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed June 15, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Alla-7 Jan. 9, 1951 c. s. ASH

VEHICLE WHEEL Filed June 15, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

CHARLES SAsH %%7WW, W7 W4 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT orric The present invention relates to improvements in vehicle wheels, and more particularly to such wheels adapted to demountably mount a plurality of road engaging tires.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical and illustrative embodiment of the present invention taken along line l| of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 viewed inwardly toward the wheel from the outer end thereof, certain portions of the demountable rims being broken away;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a wheel spoke of the wheel shown in Figures 1 and 2, viewed along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a wheel spoke of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spoke having been formed for assembly but shown separately and unassembled with the remainder of the wheel;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the embodiment of the invention shown in the first two figures, viewed along line 5--5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention (only so much of the structure being shown as lies on one side of the axis of the wheel), taken along line the wheel may be formed;

' Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the inner web portion of the wheel formed of a web blank such as that shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the outer web portion of the wheel formed likewise of a web blank such as that shown in Figure 8; and

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the wheel formed of the assembled web portions shown in 5 Figures 9 and 10.

The present invention has for its object the pro ision of a vehicle wheel of the type adapted to carry a pair of rims demountably mounted there on whereby dual pneumatic tires are carried by 10 the wheel assembly, and is particularly suited for use on heavy duty vehicles such as trucks, trailers and husses. A further object of the invention is the provision of a vehicle wheel of the type just described. which is extremely strong and at the 15 same time relatively simple and economical to fabricate.

In general, the present invention may be said to utilize some of the improvements and advantages disclosed in my United States Patent Number 2.355,.941 issued August 15, 1 944 for the provision of a dual tired vehicle wheel. The patent referred to discloses a bogie wheel of great strength and simplicity of design, and may he referred to as supplementing the present disclosure in so far as common or similar elements and fabricabodiments of the present invention shown by hub element 12, and this is mounted in conven tional fa hion upon spindle lit by means of anti- 55 he finish??? cuter Qy illdrical surface I9 of hub,

way of example in the accompanying drawings, and referring first to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle wheel is shown as mounted on the reduced end or spindle H] of a vehicle axle The vehicle wheel is provided with a tubular friction bearings E3, the hub and bearing assembly being held in place by nut It on the end of the axle.

The central body portion of the wheel is formed of a pair of elements which may be made from single fiat circular discs of metal and formed by stamping or drawing operation. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, these elements comprise the inner and outer web elements l5 and H respectively. The inner element It is formed asshown at its inner periphery with a short integral cylindrical portion 18 adapted to seat on 3 l2 and preferably have a tight press fit thereon. The elements are joined by a circular weld at the end of cylindrical portion I8.

Immediately radially outwardly of its portion |8 the web element I6 is formed in a frustoconical portion 2| to contribute greater strength to the composite wheel structure. Through its central and outer portion element H5 is formed in a portion'.22"which' liessubstantially in aradial plane of'thewheel, and' portion 22 -merges orm turns into an extended cylindrical portion 23 at the outer periphery of the web element.

The outer web element I! of the wheel bodyis somewhat similarly, but even more simply,

formed, having an inner peripheral, outwardly 15.

axially turned cylindrical portion 25 tight, press. fitted on finished external surface 26of hub I2 and welded thereto as indicated at 9. Theentire radial extent of web element I! is formed as a frusto-conical' portion 8, integral radially, ing. wardly: with portion 25-just described, and integral radially outwardly with .an axially inwardly turned .extendedcylindricalportion.2'|, which is coaxial with and of equal diameter to. thelportion- 23 of the inner web elementlfi; Cylindrical gr; portions-.23 and 21 are. thus. arranged to have abutting ends, which are externally beveled .to receiveazstronglcircular weld .28.between the parts.

Brakingmeans are provided for .the wheel, and asembodied comprise a brake drum 300i a .con- 30 ventional type, having. an inwardly. radially extending head. or flange. portion 3| by which the drum is secured to the plane. portion 22 of inner web element I6 by means of .a. plurality of bolts 32'and nuts 33. However, as best shown in Figure 2101 the drawings, a plurality. ofsemi-circular spacingelements 35 (three in the illustrativeembodiment shown) are provided between. drumfiange 3| and web element It, ,each aperturedto receive. a pair-0f the drum vmounting bolts 32.. 0 The. ends of each sp.acing.-element.35' arespaced apart from the ends of. theadjacent-element, providing. paths for excess-lubricant from the wheel bearings. radially outwardly of the. wheel between the brake drum flange and web .element 4 IB'Z An annular deflector membertB' is secured. to drum flange 3| and is formed'asshownto catch. excess bearingv lubricant, channelling. it outwardlyas just described and preventing. its access tothe interior of thebrake.

There has thus far been described a strongland v simply 'fabricated'hub; body and brakingmeans assembly. for a .vehicle.wheel, and there are further provided means for mountingdual demountable tires on the wheel allowing for adequate ventilationof the brake drum, As shown indetail in Figures 3 and 4 of. the drawings theuspoke members designated generally by the numeral 40 may be simply formed froma flat blank of metal to provide a tapered or. wedge shaped configuration as viewed fromthe top with top, or spoke.- end, surfaces 4|,Lside walls.42.and end walls 43.- Th'e:sidewalls 42' are formed with legs 42 extending radially inwardly and provided withportions 44 outwardly, flared. to cooperating curve with and seat upon the, peripheral cylindrical portions 2sand2'l ofweb elements IBandJ'Lrespectively; A plurality of spoke members. are. circumierentially spaced: about the periphery of. composite wheel body portion |6|'|, eachbeing aally disposed along the cylindrical wall 23-2'| and 'welded'thereto at'turned portions 44 as indicated by numeral '455 The end walls 43 of spokes 4|).areiformed to: lie'in a substantially radial plane to formseats' 75 for rim mounting lugs 46, being apertured to receive lug bolts 41. The spokes are also welded to outer web element H by means of these end walls, as indicated at 48.

The outer radial spoke end surfaces 4| are formed at their axially outer extent in plane surfaces 58 to receive the axially extending portions of lugs 46 and the inwardly turned bead or shoulder 5'! ofan outer'pneumatic tirerim 52. The axially innerextent of spoke end surfaces 4| are formed with inclined surfaces 53 against which the shoulder 5| of an inner rim 52 is adapted to seat. A cylindrical spacing member 54 is positioned over the central portions of the spoke members-.Mliand engages both rims 52 at their shoulders 5|, cooperating with lugs and inclinedspoke surfaces 53 to securely but removably mount the rims on the vehicle wheel.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent thatthe spoke members 40 provide strong, simply fashioned. mountings for the duplicate rims 52 forthe tires, and that in. fabricating the wheel different wheel sizes maybe made using the. same hub and web element composite structure simply by; providing spokes of different radial.

heights. The tapered. or wedge shape of the spokes provides a. rear seat 53 of substantial ex-,.

tent upon which to seat the inner of the tire rims 52, andthere is likewise provided an angular. welded engagement at 45 between legs 43 of. the.

spokes and cylindricalportion 237-21 of the-wheel body, which contributes materially to the strength of the structure.

It will be noted thatan aperture 55 is provided in .thecentral portion of each spoke endsurface 4|, andthat the spacing member 54 is similarly provided with apertures 56 registering .with said apertures 55. Ventilation is thus aifordedbetween the tires, through the spokes .and out the open, axially inner end thereof over the brake drum, and. air. communication within the spoke is further providedlbetweenlegs 43 of side walls 42. Furthermore, direct ventilation for the brake drumis h'ad betweenthe spokes 4|! over the cylindrical peripheral portion 23-21 of the wheel body, and the. angularrelationship of..the.wa11s 42"with respect to the axis of the wheel provides a pumpingaction for ventilation of thebrake drum.

The inner web element |6-is provided with awheel. is adapted to receive a brake drum 60 of a type conventionally used with wheels of the demountable at the hub type, the so-called Buddwheels. The drum 60 is of somewhat greater axial length than the drum 30 in the embodiment of'the invention already described, and a. modificationin the body portion of the wheel.

is effected'to'receive the drum.

Asshown, the wheel comprises a..tubular hub 61 and inner and outer web elements 62 and 63 respectively. The inner .web 62 is provided with an inner short cylindrical portion 64 seated on and. welded to the external surface. of -.hub 6|,.

andthe outer web element-has a. similar but oppositely. turned portion. 65.1v The. inner. web immediately radially outwardly of portion 64 is formed frusto-conically at 66 for strength, which merges into a portion 61 extending substantially in a radial plane of the wheel. At the outer periphery of the web is integral cylindrical portion 68 which, together with the cylindrical peripheral portion 69 of web element 63, forms a cylindrical surface of the wheel body of sufficient length to receive spokes such as those already described for the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2. In this instance it will be noted that the web cylindrical portions 58 and 69 are turned in the same axial direction, but the underlying principles of the construction are the same. The mounting of drum 60 is accomplished by means of bolts it through plane portions 61 of the inner web element, and semi-circular spacers II are again provided to allow escape of excess lubricant deflected by grease catcher 12.

In other respects the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings is entirely similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, and it is thought that the structure thereof will be clear from the drawings and the description already offered.

In Figure 8 of the drawings there is shown a web blank from which both the inner and outer web elements of a modified embodiment of the invention may be formed, thus eifecting considerable savin in fabrication costs of the wheel. In Figure 9 there is shown an inner web element 76 formed from the blank shown in Figure 8, apertures I! having been drilled to accommodate brake drum mounting bolts. The outer web element 18 shown in Figure 10 is likewise formed of a blank such as that shown in Figure 8. Peripheral notches 19 are provided in the blank 15, and these, when brought into registering relationship as shown in Fig. 11 upon assembly of the formed web elements it and 78, provide apertures in the periphery of the wheel body allowing access to brake drum mounting bolts and likewise affording adequate ventilation for cooling the wheel body. The wheel body of the embodiment of the invention shown in" Figures 8, 9 and 10 is assembled as already described and shown for the preceding embodiments of the invention, there being provided a suitable hub element, brake drum, spoke members, and other elements entirely similar to those described.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries abutting and secured together to provide an axially extending susbtantially continuous circumferential surface, and a plurality of hollow box-like axially and radially'extending spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface, said spoke members having axially inner and outer surfaces to receive respective tire rims, said axially inner surfaces being inclined.

2. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said, webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries secured together to provide an axially extending substantially continuous circumferential surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members having partially open side walls and open axially inner ends, said members, being circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface.

3. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries secured together to provide an axially extending substantially continuous circumferential surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members, said members being axially tapered with the broader portion axially inwardly of the wheel and being welded to said surface along lines angularly related to the axis of the wheel.

4. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries secured together to provide an axially extending substantially continuous circumferential surface, the axially inner of said webs having a plane portion lying in substantially a radial plane of the wheel, a brake drum having a flange secured by mounting bolts to said plane portion of said one web, and a plurality of axially and radially extending spoke members circumferentiall spaced apart and secured to said surface, said-surface having spaced apertures between said spoke members whereby access is had to said drum mounting bolts. 7

5. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries secured together to provide an axially extending substantially continuous circumferential surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surfaces, each said spoke member being made from a single blank of material formed to provide a plane axially outer wall to seat a rim mounting lug, a pair of partially open axially extending side walls, and a top wall having axially inner and outer surfaces to receive respective tire rims the former of which is inclined, each said spoke being entirely open at its axially inner end.

6. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries secured together to provide an axially extending substantially continuous circumferent al surface, a plurality of axiall and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface, each said spoke mem her being made from a single blank of material formed to provide a plane axially outer wall to seat a rim mounting lug, a pair of partially open axially extending side walls, a top wall having axially inner and outer surfaces to receive respective tire rims the former of which is inclined, each said spoke being entirely open at its axially inner end, and a brake drum having a flange secured to the axially inner of said webs.

'7. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries se-;

cur dgtqgeihcr o pr v d n a ially extendin substantially continugus circumferential surface, a; pluralityof axially and radially extending hollow, spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface, each-said spoke member havingpartially open-side wallsand top wall and being entirely open at the axially inner end thereof, means for mounting apair of tire rims on said spoke-members including a cylindrical spacing ring having apertures therein to register with open portions of said spoke member; top walls, and'a brakedrum-havinga flange secured to the axially inner of said Webs.

8. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of :webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries secured together to. provide an axially extending substantially continuous circumferential surface, a brake drum having an inwardly radially extending-attachingfiange secured to the axially inner of said webs, a plurality of circumferentially spacedsemi-circular spacing members between said flange and said inner web providing paths between their ends for lubricant escape, a deflector member secured to said flange .for directing excess lubricant toward said paths, anda.

plurality-of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface.

9. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of annular webs having integral cylindrical portions at their inner peripheries welded to saidhub -in spaced apart relationship, the axially outer of said webs having a frusto-conical formation throughout its entire radial extent and terminating at its outer periphery in an integral axially-turned cylindrical portion, the axially inner'web having a radially extending frusto-conical portion adjacent its inner periphery merging into a plane portion lying substantially in a radial plane of the wheel extending to its outer periphery and having an integral axially turned cylindrical portion at its outer periphery abutting and welded to said outer peripheral cylindrical portion ofsaid outer web, said outer peripheral.

cylindrical portions providing an axially extend,-

ing substantially continuous circumferential 'surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollowspoke members circumferentially spaced apart and welded to said surface.

10. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of annular webs, having integral cylindrical portions at their inner peripheries welded to said hub in spaced apart relationship, the axially-outer of said webs having a frusto conical formation-throughout its entire radial extent and terminating at its outer periphery in an integral axially turned cylindrical portion, the axially inner web having a radially extending frustoconical portion adjacent its inner periphery merging intoa plane portion lying substantially ina radial plane of the wheel extending to its outer periphery and having an integral axially turned cylindrical portion at its outer periphery abutting and welded to said outer peripheral-cylindrical portion of said outer web,- saidouter peripheral cylindrical portions providing an axially extending-substantially continuous circumferential surface, a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart: and weldedto said surface, and a brake drum having a mounting flange secured to said-plane radial portion of said-axially inner W ll;

1-1. A' vehicle wheel: comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured tothe hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integralcylindrical portions at their outer peripheries axially turned toward the center of' the wheel and joined at their adjacent ends, said portions providing an axially extending substantially, continuous circumferential surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface.

12. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, the axially inner of said Webs having an integral cylindrical portion axially in! wardly turned at its outer periphery, the axially outer web having an integral cylindrical portion axially inwardly turned-at its outer peripheryextending and secured to said cylindrical portion of said inner web, said cylindrical portions providing an axially extending substantially continuous circumferential surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface.

1-3. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs, formed of duplicate blanks, secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries secured together to provide an exterior substantially cylindrical surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said cylindrical surface.

14. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs being formed of identical flat annular blanks ofmaterial having circumferentially spaced peripheral notches, said webs having integral axially turned portions at their outer peripheries secured together with saidnotches in registering relationship, said turned portions providing an axially extending substantially continuous circumferential surface, a brake. drum havinga flange secured by mount-v ing bolls to the axially inner, of said webs, said registering notches. providing peripheral aper. tures in eaid circumferential surface for access to the drum mounting bolts, and aplurality ofaxially and radially extending spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface.

15. A vehicle wheel comprising anelongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral cylindrical portions at their outer peripheries axially turned toward each other and joined at their adjacent ends, said portions providingam axially extending substantially continuous circumferential surface, and plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and'secured'to said surface, saidspoke members being formed with radially outer surfaces for receiving a pair of tire rims.

16. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongatedhub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, said webs having integral 'cylindrical portions at their outer peripheries axially turned toward each other and joined at their adjacent ends, said portionsproviding-an axially extending substantially continuous circumferene. tial surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferem, tiallyaced apart and securedto, saidsurface,

said spoke members having axially inner and outer surfaces to receive respective tire rims, said axially inner surfaces being inclined.

17. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, the axially inner of said webs having an integral cylindrical portion axially inwardly turned at its outer periphery, the axially outer web having an integral cylindrical portion axially inwardly-turned at its outer periphery extending and secured to said cylindrical portion of said inner web, said cylindrical portions providing an axially extending substatially continuous circumferential surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart and secured to said surface, said spoke members being formed with radially outer surfaces for receiving a pair of tire rims.

18. A vehicle wheel comprising an elongated hub, a pair of webs secured to the hub in spaced apart relationship, the axially inner of said webs having an integral cylindrical portion axially inwardly turned at its outer periphery, the axially outer web having an integral cylindrical portion axially inwardly turned at its outer periphery extending and secured to said cylindrical portion of said inner web, said cylindrical por- 10 tions providing an axially extending substantially'continuous circumferential surface, and a plurality of axially and radially extending hollow spoke members circumferentially spaced apart jand secured to said surface, said spoke members having axially inner and outer surfaces to receiye respective tire rims, said axially inner surfaces being inclined.

CHARLES S. ASH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

